What Plants Are in the Gobi Desert?

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The extremely arid and cold climate of the Gobi makes it inhospitable to most species that live elsewhere in the world. However, the Gobi's own ecosystem has plenty of plant species with special means of surviving. Plant life varies somewhat from one region of the desert to another. In general, though, all the plants have one thing in common: an exceptional capacity to thrive with extremely little moisture. (See references 1-3.)

Saxaul

The saxaul is among the most useful and ubiquitous plants you'll find in the Gobi Desert. The plant grows as a small tree or shrub and retains moisture behind its bark, making it a valuable ally against dehydration. Squeezing the bark can also produce water. As an added benefit, the parasitic plant species typically found growing among the saxaul roots is edible. Traditional Chinese medicine attributes energy-giving properties to the plant, much like ginseng. Besides its use to humans and animals, the saxaul's intricate root system helps to anchor it in sand, reducing erosion. Under ideal conditions, a saxaul may reach a height of up to 12 feet. However, specimens growing in the Gobi rarely grow so tall.

Edibles

While the saxaul provides water, plants such as wild onion and wild garlic are among the few edibles found in the Gobi. A local variety of wild onion, the taana, has a flavor similar to hazelnut. It serves as a primary food source for herding animals.

Shrubs

Low-growing varieties predominate in the Gobi, with many low shrubs. Convolvulus and tamarix are two common shrubs, both well-adapted to low temperatures and little water. Also known as bindweed, the convolvulus adds some color to the landscape, with funnel-shaped flowers in pale pink or white. Its growth takes a trailing form, reaching no more than 2 feet in height and spreading horizontally. Tamarix, also known as tamarisk or salt cedar, grows in dense thickets. In addition to its tolerance for cold temperatures and low moisture, the tamarix is extremely salt-tolerant. This hardiness makes it one of the few plants to survive in the "salt deserts" of the Junggar Basin region. Saltwort, also known as beachwort, is another of the extremely salt-hardy plants that you can find in the salt desert region. The sprawling shrub produces tiny yellow flowers and tolerates a range of moisture levels, from salty marshes to the dry habitat of the Gobi.

Grasses and Herbs

Bridle grass and needlegrass are among the grasses and herbs that thrive in the Gobi's extreme climate. Needlegrass survives by dint of its long, fibrous roots, which are particularly effective at absorbing and retaining what little moisture is available. Field wormwood also grows in the Gobi, primarily in the Alashan Plateau area to the southwest.

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About the Author

Danielle Hill has been writing, editing and translating since 2005. She has contributed to "Globe Pequot" Barcelona travel guide, "Gulfshore Business Magazine," "Connecting Lines: New Poetry from Mexico" and "The Barcelona Review." She has trained in neuro-linguistic programming and holds a Bachelor of Arts in comparative literature and literary translation from Brown University.